Ross Fletcher Loyal son, beloved brother and treasured uncle. Ross Alexander Fletcher passed away of acute heart failure on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 at the age of 40. Ross was born the son of Lyda and Jack Fletcher on April 18, 1968. He grew up in Sandy Springs, Ga. and attended James L. Riley Elementary School and Riverwood High School. As an outstanding wrestler, baseball player and football star, he was recruited to play college level football for his parents? alma mater, Auburn University. Ross excelled on the field until he was sidelined by a knee injury. He also competed at Auburn in track and field, where big ol? Ross was an incredible shot-putter. He also set an Auburn record when he bench-pressed 600 pounds. Ross graduated from Auburn with a degree in Horticultural Science in 1990. After working in the construction industry, Ross forged his own company with Landmark Landscaping, which evolved into the company of today, Hemlocks Landscaping, in Jasper, Ga. His company created many beautiful landscapes throughout North Georgia and Ross had an incredible staff who he loved and which will miss his leadership. Ross and his family purchased a farm in Pickens County in 1972, and Jack, Lyda, John, Fran and Ross came from Sandy Springs almost every weekend to enjoy their little piece of paradise. As time passed, the family moved to Jasper full-time, where Ross cared for his parents for the rest of their lives. Ross became an integral part of the Pickens County community, as had his parents before him. As an avid pilot, Ross loved to fly. He eagerly served as the chairman of the Pickens County Airport Authority and was working diligently to gain the funding and approval for the expansion of the small airport as it continues to grow into a regional center. The flag at the airport flies at half-staff as his friends fondly remember him and his efforts to better the community he loved. Ross was a Certified Landscape Professional and a member of the Aircraft Owners Pilots Association, National Rifle Association, Associated Landscape Contractors of America, Georgia Green Industry Association, Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association, Professional Landcare Network, Southern Nurseryman Association and Pickens County and Cherokee County Chambers of Commerce. Ross enjoyed life immensely, and hunted, boated and rode his four-wheeler in different parts of the country. This year he was able to travel to China and Hong Kong where he walked on the Great Wall, visited the Forbidden City and enjoyed the culture and excitement of a new world. Ross was a big teddy bear of a guy. Although he never had children of his own, Ross was the ?best uncle in the world? as he shared his love with his beloved niece, Hannah Nicholson. Hannah and Ross would go to his farm to ride the four-wheeler and spend time watching movies. Hannah knows that his dogs, Scarlett, Duke and Trigger, are missing him very much. Ross was a caring person and chose to be an organ and tissue donor. It is comforting to know that he will be able to make even more lives better. Ross is survived by his brother, John W. Fletcher, Austell; niece, sister and brother-in-law, Hannah, Fran and William Nicholson, Roswell; Aunt Dodgie Shaffer, Montgomery, Al., Aunt Dottie Pittman, Florida, and Aunt Mary Walden, Centre, Al.; cousins, Jana, Susanna, Caroline and Howard Seeman, Carrollton, Ga., Kate, Steve, Harlan, Anne and Jamie Goode, Carolyn, John, Henry and Hector Llorens, Atlanta, Ga. His loss is mourned by his many close friends, including numerous lifelong buddies. He kept up with many people from high school and college, and was a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association. Although we cannot list the hundreds of friends, they are all in our prayers, as Ross loved them so. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Ross A. Fletcher Memorial Fund established at Community Bank of Pickens County in Jasper. Donations will be distributed to charities including the American Heart Association and the Professional Landcare Network?s Planet AEF Scholarship Fund. Ross was an enthusiastic Ambassador of this Scholarship program supporting horticulture education. Visitation was held on Tuesday at Cagle Funeral Home. His funeral was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 at his home where he will be interred next to his parents.

Alice Corbin Mrs. Alice Corbin, age 82 of Jasper, passed away on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at her residence. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Corbin was preceded in death by her husband, William O. Corbin, Sr.; and son, William O. ?Bud? Corbin, Jr. Survivors include her children, Sally Wilson and Jo Anne Mewborn, both of Jasper, and Jeffery Corbin, Ranger; and brother, Louis Yancey, Jasper. Eleven grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren also survive. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 from Sosebee Memorial Chapel with the Revs. Robert Jarvis and Randy Cloer officiating. Interment followed in Cool Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. www.sosebeefuneralhome. com

Ray Lohr Mr. Ray Edward Lohr, age 84 of Bent Tree, passed early Saturday morning, Jan. 10, 2009 at his residence. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joanne K. Lohr; son, Michael Lohr; daughters, Valerie Lohr McClearn and Elizabeth Lohr Little; and brother, George Lohr. Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive. The family will hold a private service at a later date to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your local hospice. Cagle Funeral Home in charge or arrangements. www.caglefuneralhome.com

Maryellen Jackson Mrs. Maryellen Jackson, age 76 of Jasper, passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 at Heartland Hospice House in Cartersville. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Mark Hellinger, Jasper. Six grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survives. A graveside service was held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 from Georgia National Cemetery in Canton with Bruce Publicover officiating. Cagle Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. www.caglefuneralhome.com

Howard Bailey Mr. Howard Bailey, age 88 of Talking Rock, Ga., died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper, Ga. following an extended illness. Born June 25, 1920 in Walton County, Ga., he was the son of the late John Franklin and Ina Coleman Bailey. Mr. Bailey had served in the U.S. Army during World War II and had retired from General Motors as a utility repairman. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Jewell Bailey, Jasper; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Randy Rich, Jasper; and son and daughter-in-law, Darryl and Teressa Bailey, Talking Rock. Four grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 from Roper Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. James Rich and Earl Gilstrap officiating. Interment followed in Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery with local Chapter #47 DAV in charge of military graveside rites. Pallbearers were: Eric and Gary Rich, Ronnie, Jim and Jake Fields and Michael Sanders. Honorary pallbearer was Gene Chapman.

Willie Mae Fricks Mrs. Willie Mae Bradley Fricks, age 99 of Cedartown, Ga. and formerly of Rome and Jasper, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 after an extended illness. Mrs. Fricks was born on Nov. 20, 1909 in Pickens County to the late William T. and Violet Bruce Bradley. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a brother, Donnie Bradley; sisters, Doris Carver, Ruby DeBarr and Ruth Tabereaux; and husband, Joe Tom Fricks. She was a member of North Broad Baptist Church. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Kay and John Herndon; and sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Jean, Bill and Reba, Fred and Vivian and Jack and Barbara Fricks. Thirteen grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews also survive. Graveside and interment services were held Saturday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. from the family lot of Eastview Cemetery in Rome with the Rev. Wayne Benefield officiating. Memorial donations may be made to a church or charity of one?s choice. Lester C. Litesey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. www.liteseyfh.com